property tax comparison cobb, fulton, dekalb (Atlanta, Smyrna: property taxes, work, layoffs)

[janp]

I know that Fulton property taxes are higher than Dekalb and Cobb, but by how much?

Could anyone estimate the property taxes on a $300K home in the three counties?

Thanks!

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by janp

I know that Fulton property taxes are higher than Dekalb and Cobb, but by how much?

This web site contains information that might be helpful.

Could anyone estimate the property taxes on a $300K home in the three counties?

In Cobb County (and I'm sure in other counties) the total property tax is going to vary significantly depending on where in the county you live. Unincorporated areas are common in Cobb county (no city), so you won't pay a city property tax, the different cities within a county will have their own millage rates, and each county has its own rules and rates for Homestead exemptions.

This might give you some idea using your example of $300,000. I could be way off on this as I'm somewhat tired, and I'm trusting the Homestead Exemptions and millage rates on the above web site.

The way to calculate property taxes is to take 40% of the Assessed Value minus the Homestead Exemption, then divide that by 1000 and multiply it by the "millage rate". I think.

Fulton (Atlanta): $300,000*.40 = 120,000-15,000 = 105,000 / 1000 = 105 * 43.86 = 4,605.30

Fulton (Johns Creek): $300,000*.40 = 120,000-15,000 = 105,000 / 1000 = 105 * 34.44 = 3,616.20

Unincorporated Dekalb: $300,000*.40 = 120,000-10,000 = 110,000 / 1000 = 110 * 39.30 = 4,323

Dekalb (Stone Mountain): $300,000*.40 = 120,000-10,000 = 110,000 / 1000 = 110 * 47.20 = 5,192

Unincorporated Cobb: $300,000*.40 = 120,000-10,000 = 110,000 / 1000 = 110 * 29.75 = 3,272.50

Cobb (Smyrna): $300,000*.40 = 120,000-10,000 = 110,000 / 1000 = 110 * 36.36 = 3,999.60

[janp]

Wow, they sure do like to make it complicated

Thanks so much, the info is very helpful!

[netdragon]

You should also factor in when figuring out what you can afford in terms of taxes 5 years worth of property appreciate.

[KevK]

The services in Cobb are better too.

[pinetreelover]

Fulton County is reappraising all residential property in 2009. Who knows what will happen, but when they did commercial property in 2008 there were huge increases in spite of the decreased market.

[plessthanpointohfive]

What about Dekalb (Atlanta)?

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by KevK

The services in Cobb are better too.

Cobb is also able to meet its obligations with the current tax levy. There are no discussions of deficits, layoffs, increasing taxes, problems with school funding, or the like. Unincorporated Cobb rates are lower than most other counties and the County gov't is lean and for the most part fiscally responsible. I too feel that services in Cobb are as good or better than other areas, with a lower tax rate.

[RainyRainyDay]

Originally Posted by neil0311

Cobb is also able to meet its obligations with the current tax levy. There are no discussions of deficits, layoffs, increasing taxes, problems with school funding, or the like. Unincorporated Cobb rates are lower than most other counties and the County gov't is lean and for the most part fiscally responsible. I too feel that services in Cobb are as good or better than other areas, with a lower tax rate.

I'll second that. I don't share the prevailing political leanings out here in East Cobb (very conservative Republican) but indeed, the property taxes are low, the schools are excellent and other government services are decent as well.

I've been slightly amazed that construction recently started on a large expansion of my local Cobb Country Library branch (Mountain View). I'm all for this, think it's great, but I can't figure the local politics. Don't all the voters around here feel that if people want to read they should buy books with their own money, not borrow them from a socialistic public library? We got a dog park in our area recently too, after a long and energetic campaign by a citizens' group. I don't understand it but I'm not complaining.

[janp]

Thanks all. It is good to hear that Cobb government is doing well. I have read bits and pieces about the mess in Fulton Co. (or maybe just the City of Atlanta).

I was kind of surprized at how high Dekalb property taxes are, in some areas it looks like they are higher than some areas of Fulton.

My husband is interviewing today at a company at the King/Queen building if that opportunity comes through, East Cobb is at the top of my list for places to live. (That seemed like it would be a reasonable commute?!.) We lived in the ATL area ~4 years ago and the only thing we didn't like was traffic/commutes (we lived in Cherokee Co. and each had 45-90 min commutes). So when we looked in to moving back, our main priority is to live close to work.

I love this forum!